RUSSIA-MISSILES-EQUIPMENT MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax-AVN) – Russia’s 20th Army incorporated in the Western Military District will be supplied with Iskander-M tactical missile systems and other modern weapons

[link to www.interfax.co.uk]

The Iskander Tactical Missile System is considered to be among the most advanced surface / surface missiles available today.

The Iskander missile system is equipped with two independently targeted short-range ballistic missiles. Each missile has a length of 7.3m, body diameter of 0.92m and weight of 3,800kg. The missile can be re-targeted during flight to engage moving targets.

Iskander can carry 480kg of conventional warheads including HE fragmentation, submunition, penetration, fuel-air explosive and electro-magnetic pulse. The minimum firing range of the missile is 50km and the maximum is 280km. Iskander is powered by a single-stage solid-propellant engine.

The Iskander-M is equipped with a self-contained inertial navigation system (INS) and an optically guided warhead. The optical homing head can also be controlled from an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This feature provides a self-homing capability to the missile. Targets can be identified by satellite, aircraft, conventional intelligence centre or a soldier. After receiving the images of the target, the onboard computer of the missile locks onto the target with its sight and directs the warhead towards the target at supersonic speed.

The missile can overcome enemy air defence systems while offering high probability of failure-free operation in countermeasures environments. It has a target accuracy of 5 to 7m and operates even in fog or darkness.

[link to www.army-technology.com]